When Richard M. Hollingshead Jr. first projected a movie onto a white
bedsheet stretched between two trees at his home in Camden, New Jersey,
in 1933, little did he know that he was on the verge of creating an
entirely new entertainment industry. With America just beginning its
romance with the automobile, it's no surprise that the general public
found this new form of moviegoing irresistible. Fun and affordable, the
drive-in quickly gained popularity among families with young children.
And, of course, the local drive-in was a favorite weekend hangout for
teenagers: a place where they could go just to meet friends or take a
sweetheart for a romantic evening of movies under the stars. Although
drive-ins are no longer as popular as they once were, in many
communities a devoted following still seeks out the open-air theaters at
twilight.
Cinema Under the Stars"" is a reminder of those wonderful times, as well
as a recounting of the history of the drive-in experience. Here is the
story, and here are the memories: B movies, concession stands loaded
with goodies, screen towers, ticket booths, scratchy speakers, speaker
poles, and intermission. It is all here - a nostalgic look at one of
America's all-time favorite pastimes.""